UISG NEWS 24-28 Aug, 2026
The Weekly Howl
01 Whole School News<
02 Spotlight on Early Years<
03 Primary School Overview<
04 Secondary School Updates<
05 Boarding Life<
Dr. Daniel Mullen
Head of School
You’re Invited – Annual UPTA Wolfpack Welcome Picnic
Dear UISG Community,
Please save the date and spread the word—everyone is welcome!
Join us for our Annual
UPTA Wolfpack Welcome Picnic
on Friday, September 4,
from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
This is one of the highlights of our school year, a time to reconnect with new and returning families, as well as our wonderful teachers and staff. Whether you’re from Early Years, Primary, or Secondary, this afternoon is all about warmth, laughter, and belonging.
We have an exciting afternoon planned, including water games, delicious food, a photo competition, and great conversations. Our students will also run activities and entertainment throughout the event, showcasing their talents and school spirit. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.
Mark your calendars; we truly hope to see everyone there!
Yours in Education,
Dr. Daniel Mullen
Head of School
Utahloy International School Guangzhou
September 4:
UPTA Wolfpack Welcome Picnic!
01 Whole School ▼
Wolf Pack Strategists : Shaping UISG’s Future
This week, our students stepped up as true architects of change! Dr. Mullen hosted two dynamic Strategy Summit sessions, bringing together Primary and Secondary students to help chart our school’s path forward.
With three key priorities in focus — enhancing learning, strengthening our organization, and deepening community ties — our school leaders know that the best strategies are built from the ground up. That’s where our students came in. Tasked as strategic advisors, they didn’t just share opinions; they developed specific, actionable proposals rooted in their daily experiences navigating the curriculum.
Our young visionaries identified what works and where we can grow, then pitched their top ideas directly to Mr. Ben, Mr. Groves, Mr. Austin, and the UISG leadership team for genuine consideration.
At UISG, we believe every voice matters, and it’s inspiring to see our students take ownership of their school’s future. A huge thank you to our Wolf Pack strategists for proving that the future of our pack is in great hands!
02 Early Years ▼
Starting the Year with Wonder : What Makes Us Who We Are?
There is something special about the start of a new school year, especially when our youngest learners begin discovering the most fascinating subject of all: themselves!
Our first Unit of Inquiry, “Self-awareness develops by learning more about ourselves,” has set the stage for wonder, curiosity, and plenty of hands-on exploration. Already, our classroom has been buzzing with excitement.
The children have turned into scientists, peering through magnifying glasses at a skeleton model and marveling at how all those bones fit together. Their questions fill the air: How do our bones move? Where are mine?
To find answers, we turned to ourselves. By gently feeling our elbows, knees, fingers, and ankles, we discovered the hard parts beneath our skin, proof that our skeletons are there, supporting us every day. It was a beautiful moment of connection, and we talked about how important it is to be gentle and caring with our bodies and with each other.
Songs like Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes, The Bones Song, and Mat Man have filled our days with laughter and learning. And the highlight? Watching the children work together to build their very own skeletons from foam clay, each one unique, each one a masterpiece of collaboration and discovery.
This is just the beginning of our journey. Soon, we will explore how we are similar and different from one another, and we will discover all the incredible things our bodies can do. We will even begin setting personal goals, maybe learning to tie shoelaces, balancing on one foot, or trying something new. It is an exciting time of growth, independence, and wonder.
Our K1 class is full of eager, enthusiastic learners, and we could not be prouder of the curiosity and joy they bring to school every day.
Learning in K1 is active, curious, and full of wonder!
Early Years Wolf Cub Assembly
EY Assembly
Our Early Years Wolf Cubs had a fantastic assembly together, packed with learning, laughter, and lots of heart! We kicked off by learning to breathe calmly with big, slow “wolf breaths” to settle our bodies and minds. Then, we became curious and learned about being an Inquirer—asking brilliant “why” and “what if” questions about a mystery object. The Wolf Cubs were so confident as they shared their ideas, and we reminded ourselves that every voice in our pack matters.
Gathering together as the youngest pack in our school is so much more than just a fun activity. These assemblies help our little ones build confidence, develop listening and speaking skills, and learn the importance of community from the very start of their school journey. Being part of a pack teaches them to support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and feel a strong sense of belonging. It also gives them a safe space to express themselves, make new friends, and practise taking turns. Most importantly, these moments create lasting memories and show our wolf cubs that school is a happy, welcoming place.
From start to finish, our Wolf Cubs showed kindness, curiosity, and community spirit—proving that even our youngest learners can achieve great things when they come together as one big Early Years family!
Warm Regards,
Ms. Jai
03 Primary ▼
House Assembly – Be a Risk Taker!
House Assembly
This week, our primary house assembly was all about courage, confidence, and leadership! Our brave candidates stepped up and delivered speeches to convince their peers why they deserve to be our next House Captains. For those that are new to UISG, there are four houses (Warriers, Dragons, Pandas and Tigers) that engage in friendly competition to raise school spirit at various events throughout the school year.
House Captain
September 2026
Through the experience of running for house captains, students were encouraged to be reflective (thinking about why they would be a good house captain), and risk takers (speaking in front of others, sharing their ideas, and putting themselves forward for a leadership role). They learned about the important duties and responsibilities that come with being a House Captain, from motivating their team to leading by example.
It marked a fantastic opportunity for our young leaders to shine, grow, and inspire others as well as to kick off a year full of good fun and school spirit. Let’s cheer them on as they take this exciting step!
04 Secondary ▼
DP Language & Literature Photography Excursion
Photography Excursion 2026
Despite some unexpected rain, the DP Language and Literature photography excursion was a great success. Students explored Lychee Bay and Yongqinfang, putting their classroom learning into practice by experimenting with photographic techniques, composition, perspective, and visual storytelling in an authentic environment.
The changing weather presented an unexpected challenge, but students adapted well, using the conditions creatively and continuing to capture images that reflected their individual interests and perspectives. Throughout the excursion, students were encouraged to consider how photography can represent people, places, and experiences while communicating ideas connected to wider global issues.
As a next step, students will return to the photographs they created during the excursion and use them as the basis for comparison with visual texts studied in the course. They will consider similarities and differences in areas such as composition, perspective, subject representation, and purpose, while reflecting on how their own choices as photographers communicate particular ideas or viewpoints.
First Ever Secondary Student-Teacher
Fashion Show : Breaking Down the Do’s and Don’ts
The UISG Secondary is still buzzing from the excitement of our premier fashion showcase, which took center stage during Thursday’s assembly. The show was a perfect blend of laughter and style, kicked off by our daring teachers who strutted down the runway wearing UISG fashion don’ts (we’re still recovering from those looks!). The students then took over, stunning the crowd with the “Fashion Do’s,” proving that the future of style and fashion is right here with our school-approved dress code. The showcase was a phenomenal success, and with the bar set this high, we are already counting down the days until the next one. Looking forward to #UISGFashion trending now! Remember, for a full breakdown of what’s hot and what’s not, be sure to refer to the Parent Student Handbook, Section 8, for your ultimate guide to the UISG approved dress code.
Grade 7 Parent Information Session
The Grade 7 Parent Information Session provided an opportunity for parents to meet me as the Grade 7 Leader, along with our two Grade 7 advisory teachers. During the presentation, we shared our plans for supporting students throughout the year and explained the important role of the advisory program.
Students spend 25 minutes with their advisory teacher each day. We have developed a structured weekly program, with each day focusing on a particular activity or area of student development. We also outlined our expectations for Grade 7 students, including taking responsibility for their learning, treating others with respect, and making a positive contribution to the grade.
We discussed the importance of maintaining open communication between school and home. A strong connection with parents will help us provide consistent support and respond effectively whenever concerns arise.
Another key focus was social and emotional learning (SEL), which will primarily take place during the final hour of the day every second week as part of IB Hour. Using Wayfinder courses and materials, students will explore topics such as managing expectations, dealing with conflict, making responsible decisions, and navigating the social and academic challenges they may experience throughout the year.
Homework expectations were also addressed. While teachers aim to provide an appropriate and manageable amount of homework, we explained that the workload may vary. Students may have less homework on some days and more on others, depending on subject requirements, assessments, and upcoming deadlines.
The session concluded with a Q&A, allowing parents to ask questions and request further information. Overall, it was a valuable opportunity to introduce the Grade 7 team, strengthen our connection with parents, and share how we plan to support students throughout the year.
Friendship Bracelets
Serious benefits and a fun, low-pressure activity. Making friendship bracelets … but I’m also practicing mindfulness and improving my mental health (with Miss L.)!
Secondary students were invited to participate in bracelet-making with Miss L. during MAP testing as a way to reduce stress while engaging in a calming, creative activity. Drawing on research from the University of Illinois Chicago’s Drive to Thrive initiative, bracelet making is described as a form of concentrative meditation with several mental and emotional benefits.
Creating bracelets can improve self-esteem by helping individuals feel confident in making something meaningful for others. It also helps reduce feelings of depression by encouraging people to focus their time and energy on a positive, purposeful task. As a stress management practice, bracelet making promotes relaxation by lowering heart rate and improving breathing.
Additionally, the activity fosters empathy, as making something for others encourages compassion and understanding, even toward those with whom one may have had difficulties. This mindful focus can also lower anxiety by interrupting negative thought patterns and replacing them with calming, intentional actions. Finally, these benefits can lead to improved academic or work performance, as reduced stress and better emotional control enhance focus and productivity. Overall, bracelet making serves as an accessible and effective tool for mental well-being.
Overall, bracelet making serves as an accessible and effective tool for mental well-being.
05 Boarding Life ▼
Boarding BBQ & Awards Night
The Boarding BBQ is always the best way to wrap up the month—and this August’s gathering was extra special, as it was entirely student-led in organization. Our talented MCs, Leo Gao and Leo Park, did a fantastic job guiding the evening with energy.
Students delighted in a delicious BBQ prepared by Ms. Eva and the Dining Team. The night featured a cheerful birthday moment for our August-born students, followed by the highly anticipated Boarder of the Month awards. We proudly celebrated Jasmine (G12), Vivian (G8), Tao Tingxi (D10), Zhou Wai Sen (D12), Sunny He (D11), and Junsoo (G12) for embodying the IB Learner Profile through their care, integrity, courage, and balance.
A big thank you to Charlie (G9) for capturing these wonderful memories through his photography. It was a memorable evening of great food, great company, and great celebration!
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